files named "dev-whatever" are NOT ignored by git. files in the .gitignore file are ignored by git for that specific repo
Correct.
To clarify my lazy statement....dev-whatever files are ignored in the zencart repository as defined by an entry in the .gitignore file that is in the zencart repository:

Code:
dev-*.*
someone who is new to git changing heads has problems written all over it (IMO). i would suggest reading up on changing branches.
I've done plenty of reading, but it is not obvious to me what the pitfalls are of changing branches/HEAD are, in the context that is obvious to you?
Can you expand a little on this?
Thanks.